Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Once the case wraps up, he figured it was high time to dive back into the dating scene.noveldrama

...

Three days later, the trial kicked off.

Even though Blaine hadn't been in a courtroom for ages, the second he slipped into his lawyer's robe and faced the judge, it was like he hadn't missed a beat. He swiftly tore apart the opposing lawyer's arguments, leaving them stumbling and completely off their game, while he effortlessly steered the case in his direction.

Blaine nailed that first round with flying colors.

As he and Matilda left the courthouse, they ran into Carter, a towering presence nearly 300 pounds of pure intimidation, his face twisted in anger.

Practically jabbing his finger in Blaine's face, he bellowed, "Blaine, what gives you the nerve to take on a case against the Gilberts? Mark my words, this isn't over. Just you wait!"

Blaine didn't even flinch, "Bring it on, Carter."

Matilda chimed in, smirking, "Carter, instead of throwing a tantrum at my lawyer, maybe try spending some of that cash on hiring someone who can actually stand a chance against Blaine? You got completely outclassed today, and it's honestly kind of pathetic."

Steam practically poured out of Carter's ears, "You..."

Matilda, ignoring him, gently took Blaine's arm, "Let's get out of here. Dinner's on me at the Grand Oak tonight-we've got to celebrate."

As they strolled away, Carter's gaze turned icy. He whipped out his phone and made a call.

"Round up some guys. I want Blaine taught a lesson tonight-make sure he never sets foot in a courtroom again!"

...

Over in Newport.

Lately, Everett had been making frequent trips to Moon Bay, trying to melt Selena's chilly demeanor with his relentless charm. She wasn't budging, but that didn't deter him one bit.

But tonight, as the car rolled into Moon Bay, Selena noticed only Mateo with no sign of Everett.

She glanced around, her brows lifting in brief surprise, but kept quiet.

Alex, who had brought Mateo back, picked up on it immediately, "Ma'am, Mr. Everett's stuck in a big international meeting. It's likely to run late, so he won't make it ver tonight."

Selena, keeping her cool, replied, "I wasn't asking."

Then she took Mateo's hand, ready to head inside.

Unfazed, Alex continued with a grin, "Oh, and ma'am, Mr. Everett will be tied up for the next few days, so you'll have Mateo with you. But if you need anything-or, you know, just want to see him-give him a call, and he'll drop everything to come over."

Selena shot a frosty look his way.

Alex, unfazed, added, "That was straight from Mr. Everett-just passing it along."

"Got it."

Selena allowed herself a tiny smile, "Drive safe."

Alex beamed, "Thanks, ma'am."

With Selena mostly resting at home these days, Blaine was handling the company business, leaving her to

personally drop off and pick

Mateo for the next few days.

ap

Later that afternoon, she arrived at the school gate right on the dot at 5:30, ready

to pick up Mateo.

As the school gates swung open, kids poured out, and Selena stood there, scanning the little faces for Mateo.

But as one by one, the children were reunited with their parents and the entrance emptied out, there was still no Mateo in sight.

Frowning, Selena quickly grabbed her phone to call the homeroom teacher.

As soon as Ms. Woods picked up, Selena cut to the chase, "Hi, Ms. Woods, has Mateo come out yet?"

Ms. Woods sounded surprised, "Mrs. Mateo's mom, didn't you pick him up right after the first class today?"

"What? I definitely didn't."

Ms. Woods was just as baffled, "But it was you or someone who looked exactly like you-who picked him up..."